Watford and West Brom Wins Show a Change is Near
By Avery Jones
Change is coming at Liverpool. After great results away from home, Liverpool look like they are a new team ready to compete next year. These huge results at West Brom and Watford show that Liverpool are soon going to be competing for the title!
In years past we have all suffered those painful draws against worse teams such as West Brom and Stoke. The match where we miss multiple chances, then give up a goal on a set piece to a team that’s nowhere near our level. If you’re a Liverpool fan you know this scenario all too well. While it’s still a work in progress, there has certainly been a huge improvement with ugly wins and the last two away matches, against Watford and West Brom, have proved that more than anything. Change is coming at Liverpool.
I know we lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace who is currently sitting 16th and if they aren’t careful might get caught in a little relegation battle the final weekend. Not to mention that former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has always had our number. I still remember when Benteke destroyed Liverpool in the FA Cup Semi-Finals in 2015.
So moving onto the two tough 1-0 wins that we pulled out against Watford and West Brom. Over the years the long balls and set pieces have been the death of Liverpool but one thing has changed recently that I don’t think anyone saw coming. Simon Mingolet looks to be buzzing with confidence. A huge game against West Brom with multiple key saves, including an incredible save on Sadio Berahno. Then, Mingolet was commanding the box all game against Watford, it seemed like Mingolet was a new man. Claiming everything that came into his area, it was a masterclass performance for Mingolet. Simon has come a long way since everyone was calling for Karius at the start of the season. We rightfully had enough of Mingolet, eight months ago.
Emre Can is boasting with confidence at the moment and deserves a new contract before summer.
Another big thing that has helped Liverpool squeak out these wins is the play of Emre Can. Emre against Watford scored one of the best goals we have ever seen in the EPL. An overhead kick is the perfect example of a man full of confidence. While it will be great to get Jordan Henderson back, Can has become a new player with Henderson out. We have learned that Henderson and Can can’t play together which is an issue going forward. That’s something Klopp will have to figure out once Henderson returns from his heel injury. Which will likely be at the start of next season. Can’s maturation over these last few months is a promising sign for those who were saying Can wasn’t worth the money he wanted.
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Against Watford Can was getting on James Milner for pushing too far forward and holding Lucas accountable for not being in the right position. With the recent performances, Emre has been putting in, roll up the truck, fill it up with money, and give that man all the money he wants in his new contract. A natural leader and only 23, Can might be a sneaky captain in the future under Jurgen Klopp.
It’s time to start believing in Liverpool like we never have before
The final and most important with Liverpool is belief. The fans and the players have to believe that they will get the victory. Whenever I watch Chelsea or Man City I always find myself saying they will find a way to win this game no matter who the opponent is or what the situation is. Both of those teams, especially Chelsea just always seem to get results no matter how they play. That’s something that takes time and with Klopp we are headed in the right direction. Away wins against two very physical teams are a great sign that things are changing for the Reds.
Liverpool fans know it’s easy to be skeptical but I see a lot of promise in this team. While Klopp continues to build the team he wants and our players grow in skill and confidence things are on the up and up. With only 3 games left this season, 3 wins and we are in the Champions League for 2017-18. Let’s hope the trend continues and we can get a few more world class performances from Can and Mingolet.